Made for Europe

Cost and risk-effective sourcing from new markets

Neutral, competent, cost-effective

You are planning to import? Fresh fruit and vegetables? Cut flowers? Technical wood? Natural ingredients for foods, pharmaceutics, cosmetics? We have the contacts you need and are at your side throughout the entire sourcing process.

We network you with the right exporters.

Accessing new sources of supply is labour intensive and time consuming. There are plenty of risks and unknowns. You  can reduce your initiation, agreement and control costs with the Import Promotion Desk. Gain certainty and time as we have the contacts, information and communication channels to your new foreign suppliers.

Hand in hand with the German private sector

The IPD is an initiative of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (Bundesverband Großhandel, Außenhandel, Dienstleistungen e.V.) and sequa gGmbH – the development organisation of German industry. We are funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

»At the interface between development cooperation and foreign trade«

Interview with Dr. Julia Hoffmann – Head of Import Promotion Desk
Dr. Julia Hoffmann explains why supporting exports is an essential instrument in international development cooperation and outlines the IPD’s strategy for opening up the German and European markets to developing countries.
Read the entire interview

Covid-19 crisis: IPD adapts activities for importers

Due to the cancellation of trade fairs and buyers' trips, IPD reacts flexibly and organizes new offers for importers, e.g. virtual b2b meetings with suppliers in the partner countries. We network interested importers with carefully selected suppliers even in these difficult times. Read more about this in our IPD UPDATE.

We keep you up to date on our services.

Register here for our mailings!

»With the IPD we are closing a strategic gap at the interface of development cooperation and foreign trade: By eliminating trade barriers and information deficits, we contribute to the improved participation of emerging and developing countries in the global economy, but also support German SMEs in developing new procurement markets.«

Gregor Wolf
Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA)

»It is important for developing countries and emerging nations to integrate into international value chains and thus obtain access to new sales markets. This is where the IPD makes a valuable contribution: it opens the German and European market to producers from these regions.«

Anja Gomm
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

»Organisations such as the IPD are valuable tools for the economy not only in Germany but also in partner countries. The IPD provides German importers with information and connects them with suppliers. Even more important is the fact that the IPD and its partner organisations evaluate the suppliers and the information beforehand and therefore minimize the risk for European importers. For exporters from foreign countries, the IPD is an excellent platform to present their products and to get in contact to potential clients.«

Christian Körting Pacheco
Biomaderas GmbH

"One should think that with today's technical facilities it is easy to find new suppliers and customers in other countries. In reality,  this is a time-consuming and personnel-intensive effort. The IPD offers ideal networking opportunities in a wide range of sectors, facilitating, for instance in the wood sector, the establishment of new and safe commercial relationships with emerging and developing countries."

Nils Olaf Petersen
Gesamtverband Deutscher Holzhandel e.V.

»The import of food as a primary commodity for the processing industry up to the final product plays a vital role when it comes to enabling consumers to choose from a variety of tasty and safe foods. An interface such as the IPD promotes and supports business contacts between importers and exporters and thus creates an ideal platform for mutual trade relationships which are the foundation for a diverse and healthy food supply.«

Dr. Helena Melnikov
Waren-Verein der Hamburger Börse e.V.

»Exporters from emerging markets and developing countries and importers from Europe depend on all types of support from associations, Chambers of Industry and Commerce and other BMOs.The IPD is another useful tool to bring partners from Germany and abroad together.«

Hans Udo Bürk
Biotropic GmbH

»Numerous companies from the German nutrition industry depend on the import of high-quality food products.  Many of these raw materials cannot be grown in Germany at all or only to an insufficient extent. The Import Promotion Desk can play an important role in the establishment of a mutually satisfactory collaboration between food importers from Germany and reliable food exporters from selected commodity markets.«

Olivier Kölsch
Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Ernährungsindustrie e.V.

News

Berlin // 07.02.2020
ITB 2020: Sustainable travel offers from developing and emerging countries
 
Berlin // 07.02.2020

ITB 2020: Sustainable travel offers from developing and emerging countries

Import Promotion Desk supports exhibitors from Ecuador, Nepal and Tunisia at ITB 2020
Bonn/Berlin, 04.02.2020 – Sustainable tourism offers from selected emerging and develop-ing countries are in the focus of the trade fair presentation of the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) at the ITB 2020. The German initiative for import and tourism promotion will present new tour operators from Ecuador, Tunisia and Nepal at the international tourism trade fair, taking place in Berlin from 4 to 8 March. The travel offers particularly consider aspects of sustainability and environmental and social compatibility. They range from ecological tours in the unknown north of Tunisia to bicycle tours in Nepal and the community-based tourism project Yunguilla in Ecuador. Around 20 travel companies from the three developing countries will be represented at the IPD stand (hall 5.2A | stand 113) and at the country stands of Ecuador (hall 23A | stand 110) and Tunisia (hall 21B | stand 216/217).

Press release: Sustainable travel offers from developing and emerging countries
show
187 KB PDF
Bonn/Nürnberg // 27.01.2020
BIOFACH 2020: IPD presents coconut specialities from Sri Lanka
 
Bonn/Nürnberg // 27.01.2020

BIOFACH 2020: IPD presents coconut specialities from Sri Lanka

IPD supports exhibitors from Sri Lanka and ten more partner countries at Biofach.

Bonn/Berlin, 27.01.2020 – At this year’s Biofach the product variety of the coconut palm is presented by exhibitors from Sri Lanka: They are bringing a variety of coconut specialities such as dried coconut, virgin coconut oil, coconut blossom sugar, coconut butter, coconut flour, coconut milk and coconut water to the world's leading trade fair for organic food, which takes place in Nuremberg from February 12 to 15. Further highlights from Sri Lanka are spices such as Ceylon cinnamon and different varieties of pepper, as well as essential oils. Besides the exhibitors from Sri Lanka, the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) supports exporters from Colombia, Côte d´Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia, Kyrgyz-stan, Tunisia and Ukraine. They will be presenting their regional specialities in organic qual-ity at the joint stand of IPD and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) (Booth 3A | 3A-220) as well as at the national pavilions.

Press release: Biofach 2020 - IPD presents coconut specialities from Sri Lanka
show
189 KB PDF
Bonn/Berlin // 15.01.2020
Fruit Logistica 2020: Pitahayas, Physalis & Co. - Ecuador convinces with fruity variety
 
Bonn/Berlin // 15.01.2020

Fruit Logistica 2020: Pitahayas, Physalis & Co. - Ecuador convinces with fruity variety

Import Promotion Desk (IPD) supports exporters from Ecuador and seven more partner countries at the international trade fair for fruits and vegetables

Bonn/Berlin, 16.01.2020 – Ecuador is known for its biodiversity and offers a wide range of tropical fruits. The South American country lives up to its reputation at this year's Fruit Logistica, which takes place in Berlin from 5. to 7. of February. With bananas, pineapples, pitahayas, physalis and passionfruit, the exhibitors present a richly filled fruit basket (Hall
21 Booth B‐06). Import Promotion Desk (IPD), the German initiative for import promotion, has been supporting the partner country of this year's Fruit Logistica for two years now, and
accompanies producers to the European market. This year the IPD brings six companies from Ecuador to the international trade fair. In total, over 40 companies from eight IPD partner countries ‐ from Egypt, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Côte d`Ivoire, Ghana, Colombia, Peru and the Ukraine ‐ will present their range of fresh fruits and vegetables in Berlin.

Press release: IPD at Fruit Logisitca 2020
show
200 KB PDF

Events

Virtual trade fair // 06 - 08.10.2020
in-cosmetics virtual
 
Virtual trade fair // 06 - 08.10.2020

in-cosmetics virtual

Network online with reliable producers of innovative ingredients!
Take part in in-cosmetics virtual - the new, online meeting place for personal care ingredients

Even if this year a personal meeting at in-cosmetics is not possible, take advantage of this interactive networking event.
Make contacts with reliable producers from Colombia, Ethiopia, Ecuador and Côte d'Ivoire.

IPD and selected exporters will be presented at in-cosmetics virtual. Find out about new, exotic ingredients, including essential oils and emulsions - obtained from cocoa, acai, cashew nuts, and plants such as rosemary, lavender and myrtle. Many products are available in organic quality.

All companies were visited and evaluated by IPD before the pandemic. We take into account criteria such as product quality, exportability and capacity as well as the fulfilment of international standards and certifications.

Learn more about our companies and their diverse product range!   
Meet our reliable exporters - online from 6 - 8 October on your computer.

We arrange your individual meeting - individually selected according to your requirements. All companies are familiar with online meetings or web conferences.

Meet us virtually from the 6th October at www.in-cosmetics.com

To make an appointment or for further information please contact us:

Andreas Gemählich

IPD Exporters at in-cosmetics virtual 2020
show
2 MB PDF
Virtual trade fair // 01.10. - 31.10.2020
Fruit Attraction LIVEConnect 2020
 
Virtual trade fair // 01.10. - 31.10.2020

Fruit Attraction LIVEConnect 2020

The international trade fair for fresh fruit & vegetables, the "Fruit Attraction", will be a virtual event this year. From 1 October, the new digital platform "Fruit Attraction LIVEConnect" will offer importers and exporters the opportunity to network online.

Benefit from this digital market place and make online contact with reliable exporters from our partner countries.  

IPD connects European importers with carefully selected suppliers from Egypt, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Ghana, Colombia, Peru and the Ukraine. The companies offer a wide range of products, also in organic quality, such as

  • Granadillas, mangoes, papayas, pomegranates
  • Avocados, physalis, grapes, dates and various berries
  • Sweet potatoes, peas, beans, snow peas, tomatoes, onions
  • Chives, basil etc.

All companies have been carefully selected and evaluated by IPD. Criteria such as product quality, exportability and capacity as well as compliance with international standards and certifications were taken into account.

A detailed overview of the companies and all products you find below.

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact us:

Linda Mense

www.fruitattraction.com

P.S. The next personal edition of the Fruit Attraction fair, organised by IFEMA and FEPEX, will take place from 5 to 7 October 2021.

IPD Exporters at Fruit Attraction LIVEConnect
show
5 MB PDF
Virtual b2b Event // 26.10. - 06.11.2020
Save the date: IPD Virtual b2b Event – Processed Foods
 
Virtual b2b Event // 26.10. - 06.11.2020

Save the date: IPD Virtual b2b Event – Processed Foods

Despite the corona restrictions, IPD continues sourcing in the IPD partner countries and supports European buyers in matchmaking with selected producers. For the autumn - the traditional trade fair season - IPD therefore organizes the "Virtual b2b Event - Processed Foods".

For two weeks - from 26 October to 6 November 2020 - IPD offers importers the opportunity to network online with around 20 carefully selected exporters.

Meet reliable exporters from South America and Africa in individual b2b meetings. Inform yourself about a wide range of processed fruits & vegetables as well as herbs & spices. This includes frozen products, fruit pulps and dried fruits and snacks. The suppliers are processing e.g. guanabanas, passion fruit, pineapple, mangoes and bananas. But also products such as black and white cumin, cardamom and special spices such as rue from Ethiopia are included.

Benefit from our free offer to expand your supplier network.

All IPD companies were visited and checked by IPD before the pandemic. We take into account criteria such as product quality, exportability and capacity as well as compliance with international standards and certifications. Also during the pandemic we are in close contact with our companies to continue the screening of exporters.

Your benefits at a glance:

  • Arranged online meetings with carefully evaluated producers – individually selected according to your requirements
  • Support of the online meetings by experienced IPD experts
  • Detailed information about the companies via pictures or videos of the production sites, growing areas, packing houses etc.
  • All suppliers are familiar with online meetings and web conferences.
  • The b2b event is implemented via the established and user-friendly matchmaking software B2Match.

Take advantage of this b2b event: Get comprehensive information about our exporters, network directly with the suppliers you are interested in and arrange your individual meetings - adapted to your schedule.
The IPD team will support you in your search for the most suitable business partner.

Registration for online B2B meetings via the B2Match platform will be available here from 22 September 2020.

For questions in advance please contact:

Judith Emmerling

Virtual trade fair // 16. - 18.10.2020
We love travel! - virtual
 
Virtual trade fair // 16. - 18.10.2020

We love travel! - virtual

"Stronger together, stronger than ever!" with this motto the We love travel! The Hybrid Fair starts from 16.-18.10.2020 in Berlin and virtually.

The event supports the recovery of the tourism industry, with both exhibitors and visitors being free to choose whether to participate digitally or with physical presence.

The Import Promotion Desk (IPD) will have a virtual booth at the fair to present reliable travel suppliers from Ecuador, Colombia and Tunisia.

Our partners offer unforgettable experiences in the most beautiful corners of the world, far away from mass and package tourism. Sustainability is at the forefront of all these tours, while at the same time meeting the needs of European tourists. All providers are carefully checked by IPD and prepared for the requirements of the EU travel market.

Within the framework of We love travel! we network you virtually with selected travel providers.

Detailed information on our companies will be available here from mid-September.

For further questions in advance please contact:

Nora Eichkorn

www.welovetravel.berlintravelfestival.com/de/

Publications

Success Story
Fresh fruit & vegetables from Egypt
 
Success Story

Fresh fruit & vegetables from Egypt

IPD successfully prepares young enterprise for the EU market

Creatick Pro was launched in 2017 with a lot of enthusiasm and a high-quality product range. Although their range was tailored for the EU market, a marketing strategy and contact to European partners were lacking. Creatick joined the IPD programme in autumn 2019, and the Egyptian enterprise is now rapidly conquering the European market.

IPD Success story - Fresh fruit & vegetables from Egypt
show
574 KB PDF
Success Story
Dates from Tunisia
 
Success Story

Dates from Tunisia

IPD supports Demeter producer in setting up lasting trade partnerships

Beni Ghreb is the first company in Tunisia to be certified for its organic and biodynamic dates. Initially, however, it proved impossible to obtain the price for Demeter-certified dates for the entire production. Beni Ghreb therefore
applied for admission to the IPD programme with the aim of increasing sales of its products, especially to the organic sector in Europe. Since 2018, IPD has successfully liaised new business partners for Beni Ghreb.

 

Dates from Tunisia
show
456 KB PDF
Success Story
Organic peanuts from Egypt
 
Success Story

Organic peanuts from Egypt

Import Promotion Desk assists African growers in exporting ecological products

African countries offer a wide variety of top-quality products for which there is great demand on the EU market. Import Promotion Desk (IPD) introduces selected suppliers of organic foods to European traders. The Egyptian exporter Logistic Nuts for Agricultural Development is a new supplier which, with assistance from the IPD, has converted to ecological farming and is now capturing the market with organic peanuts.

Organic peanuts from Egypt
show
666 KB PDF

Funded by

Implemented by

| © 2020, Import Promotion Desk